Week 12: vs Green Bay Packers

Recent Stats and Projections

Weekly Performance vs TE 1, TE 12, TE 24

Percentile ranks

Kyle Rudolph's percentile rank in each category, among TE with more than 50 fantasy points.

Recent Game Summaries

2018 Week 9 vs DET (2 / 2 / 28 / 0 rec)

It was almost the perfect start for Rudolph this week. After Latavius Murray looked to fumble on the goal line, it was Rudolph who fell on the ball in the end zone. He was initially given a touchdown without even registering a catch. The play was eventually reviewed after the fact and the touchdown was given to Murray. Rudolph pulled in both of his other targets and had a long play down the side line for 24 yards. There was another third down play where Rudolph was wide open but Cousins under threw Thielen instead and the Vikings had to punt. Rudolph could be seen trying to talk to Cousins after they came off the field, but neither player looked angry about it. Rudolph is another great weapon for Cousins, but he has not used him as such to this point.

2018 Week 8 vs NO (7 / 4 / 39 / 0 rec)

It was not quite the breakthrough performance we have been looking for from Rudolph, but there were a lot of positives and things to build from this week. Rudolph tied Thielen for 2nd in targets this week with 7 and hauled in a long 25-yard pass down the sideline for a big first down. His line would have been much better if he had been awarded the touchdown catch in the 1st quarter, but he was ruled to have stepped out of bounds and not fully reestablished himself. There was a lot of pushing and shoving in the back of the end zone and any number of penalties could have been called. However, the refs concluded that the defensive holding and or illegal contact was negated by Rudolph stepping out of the back of the end zone before catching the ball. The numbers still are not there for Rudolph, but if he continues to get this high a volume of targets, the numbers are going to come.

2018 Week 7 vs NYJ (4 / 1 / 16 / 0 rec)

It has been a very up and down season for Rudolph so far and this was another dud against the Jets. Rudolph had 4 targets and only hauled in 1 for 16 yards. He was dealing with a struggling Kirk Cousins this week and did not have much of a chance on the 3 missed targets. The offense tried to feature Murray in the red zone and continues to not use Rudolph to his potential. The Saints have not fared well against the passing game and it should provide opportunity for Rudolph to bounce back.

2018 Week 6 vs ARI (4 / 4 / 37 / 0 rec)

Just like Diggs, Rudolph was a mere afterthought in the offense this week. He managed to snag 4 targets this week and had a long catch of 17 yards but was still overshadowed by Thielen. The Cardinals made no effort to adjust their game plan and let Thielen run free underneath. They stuck with Rudolph in coverage and often times put a bigger and more physical corner or safety on him. Rudolph excels when there is a linebacker in coverage and he simply did not get that opportunity this week. The Jets have only given up 3 touchdowns to tight ends all season long and aside from their game against the Colts this week have been very solid all around against the position. It will be a difficult task for Rudolph next week, but he may see some things open up if teams focus on Thielen more.

2018 Week 5 vs PHI (5 / 5 / 41 / 0 rec)

The chemistry between Cousins and Rudolph in the red zone continues to struggle. The ball is being force fed to Diggs and Thielen and it does not leave a lot left for Rudolph. The big tight end caught all 5 of his targets and even got them in a goal to go situation before Thielen caught the eventual touchdown pass. Rudolph had 1 catch of 17 yards and continues to only be used in short to intermediate roles. Cousins has a very effective weapon in Rudolph, but just does not seem to want to use him.

2018 Week 4 vs LAR (6 / 5 / 57 / 0 rec)

With all the crazy passing stats in this game, it was almost surprising to see Rudolph not do a little more damage. The red zone looks went to Aldrick Robinson and the third down catches really did not come until the second half. Rudolph has had a respectable season thus far, but he has not been utilized as many thought he would be. His biggest gain was a 3rd down out route for a first down that he was able to carry up the sideline for 24 yards. There will come a game where Rudolph is targeted in the red zone and comes down with 2 touchdowns, but it has not happened yet. His average usage has come in at 5 catches per game for 50 yards and .5 touchdowns. He has the potential to do a lot more damage, but Cousins has not used him that way to this point.

2018 Week 3 vs BUF (6 / 5 / 48 / 1 rec)

It was a tough game for all of the Viking skill players, but at least Rudolph was able to find the end zone. He was the only player that got a chance around the goal line and he cashed in this week. The pass was a short 4-yard out route where Rudolph worked his way back to the ball. Cousins' pass was low, and Rudolph went to the ground to catch it. The Bills thought he had dropped the ball or at least not completed the catch to the ground. The play was eventually reviewed and upheld. Cousins then targeted Rudolph on the ensuing 2-point conversion, but the attempt failed. Rudolph had one other 17-yard catch up the seam, but no Viking player had a play over 20 yards this week. It was a disappointing week all around in Minnesota, but Rudolph managed to walk away with a touchdown.

2018 Week 2 vs GB (8 / 7 / 72 / 0 rec)

With Diggs and Thielen taking most of the headlines and touchdowns, Rudolph is easy to get overlooked in the offense. This plays directly into what the Vikings want to happen as the Packers defense began to forget about him as the game wore on. He managed to sneak out for a big 23-yard gain at the end of the third quarter. This helped set up the Vikings second touchdown after he was pushed out of bounds at the 5-yard line. Rudolph has not shown the same red zone prowess he did a year ago, but Thielen and Diggs have cashed in instead. It is only a matter of time before Rudolph gets his chances in the red zone.

2018 Week 1 vs SF (2 / 1 / 11 / 1 rec)

It was a very quiet day for Rudolph this week with the big tight end only receiving two targets the entire game. All three of the Viking tight ends caught a pass this week, Rudolph's just happened to be in the end zone. His greatest asset is his size and jumping ability in the red zone. Rudolph hauled in an 11-yard pass right down the seam for a Viking touchdown. Cousins knew exactly where he was going with the ball before it was even snapped. Outside of this play, Rudolph was locked down by an athletic core of linebackers for the 49ers. Always a boom or bust candidate, Rudolph continues to rely heavily on red zone touchdown opportunities.